In this four-part series, I aim to think about one particular aspect of language: naming. In the introduction, I preliminarily addressed the root of the problem, the Fall. In this post I want to dive deeper into the original ‘scene of the crime’ for clues toward the character of the relationship between language and naming. [Read more…] about Overnaming as The Fall
power
Daniel: Notes for Bible Study Groups, Part 2
Drawing from her own study of Daniel, the knowledge gained while serving as a teaching assistant for Prof. Iain Provan’s Regent College course on Daniel, and the insights gained through talks Carl Ellis gave at an InterVarsity conference, Kathy Cooper has compiled study notes for InterVarsity groups exploring Daniel. These notes are designed to be “plug and play.†While we’ll make some further study suggestions for those with extra time, these notes are designed to provide the basis for leading a thoughtful discussion about how Daniel applies to graduate student or faculty life even if a group has little extra prep time. These notes were designed for leading an inductive bible study discussion, but can be adapted for various bible study contexts. For the first entry in the series, click here.Â
ESN is glad to share material by experienced InterVarsity staffers for campus groups this year; for more on what we’re sharing on the blog and why, see our fall blog lineup preview post. [Read more…] about Daniel: Notes for Bible Study Groups, Part 2
Unroll the Scroll (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture
“Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord†(cf. Isaiah 37:14, NIV). [Read more…] about Unroll the Scroll (Scholar’s Compass)
Book Review: Playing God, by Andy Crouch
Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power by Andy Crouch (InterVarsity Press, 2013).
I think many of us have developed our understanding of power from Lord Acton’s axiom: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. For most of us, that is the end of story and this accounts, at least among many Christians I know, for a deep aversion to anything like the exercise of power.
Advent and John the Baptist
If Advent is new to you, I don’t blame you for feeling a bit confused. Advent as preparation for Christmas is a no-brainer. All these other things, like Jesus’ return, that are a part of Advent, can seem beside the point. But in the second week of Advent, a figure takes center stage who both completely makes sense and who stretches our brains: John the Baptist.
It makes sense to speak of John in Advent. John the Baptist is the one we know is coming to “prepare the way.†Listen to what the angel says to his father Zechariah:
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.†(Luke 1:13–17 (NRSV))
What really stretches us is what, or rather, who stands behind John:
See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Malachi 4:5–6 (NIV))
What are we to make of this? John isn’t just like Elijah. In some way he is Elijah! Jesus draws the connection very close:
Then [the disciples] asked [Jesus], “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?†He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him. (Mark 9:11–13 (NRSV))
Why should we care about John and his connection with Elijah? What does this have to do with Advent?
Speaking to Power
First, just like Elijah, John spoke to power. Elijah was not afraid to confront Ahab, the king of Israel (and behind him, Jezebel). The scene of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal would make a great Hollywood movie! Likewise, John confronts Herod over his improper marriage relationship – and pays the price!
This Advent, we should ask, “In what ways are we called to speak to power?†And more to the point, are we willing to bear the consequences? (The phrase “Don’t lose your head†takes on a different meaning in reference to John the Baptist!) This is a very scary question in the context of the academy – degrees and tenure are on the line. [Read more…] about Advent and John the Baptist